Information about Rauðasandur

The beach by Latrabjarg cliff, Europe's highest birdcliff and Europe's westernmost part, is called Rauðasandur. It is rare for its pale red, almost pink sand. Along with many seabirds, the beach also features hundreds of seals.

The remnants of a farm named Sjöundá can be found on Rauðasandur. At the beginning of the 19th century, it was the site of one of Iceland’s most famous murder cases.

Two farmers and their wives lived there but one farmer, Bjarni, and the other's wife, Steinunn, had an affair. They were sentenced to death, accused of having murdered their spouses. Bjarni was executed abroad but Steinunn died in prison in Reykjavík and was buried at Skólavörðuholt. In the 20th century, she was moved to consecrated grounds and is buried in Hólavallagarður in Reykjavík.

Steinunn's decendants, believing her innocent, recently gave her a tombstone.

Icelandic novelist Gunnar Gunnarsson based his masterpiece Svartfugl (The Black Bird) on the Sjöundá murder mystery.